Neutral Layers

As most of you know, I'm just not that into neutrals.  But, I love layers, texture and patterns which is why I think this outfit works for me:

The turtleneck  and boots add a bit of color, but otherwise, my outfit is dependent on layers, texture and patterns for interest.  The cream sweater has a non-standard stitch, the gray skirt is a diamond pattern and the gray tights are herringbone.

I even layered my necklaces:

So, yeah, even though this outfit is mainly neutrals, it still feels like me.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Similar skirt

Similar sweater

Exact Naya "Virtue" boots

Similar moss agate necklace

Monday, Shiny Monday

I'm having a very shiny Monday:

Between my "glitter grunge" sweatshirt and my velvet scarf, it's just shiny, shiny, shiny.

Not that I mind.  Being shiny on a Monday definitely cheers me more than being dull and drab.

Shirt: Gap, similar  Scarf: thrifted  Jeans:JCP   Boots: Born Crown, similar

And, I'm not just shiny, I'm pretty visible in this outfit, so I'm linking up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday.

How is your Monday, Reader Friends?

xoxo,

Gracey

Sparkles and Leopard

So, it snowed here the other day.  I only mention this because it doesn�t snow that much in my part of Oregon so it was kind of a big deal.  I celebrated by wearing sparkles and leopard; you know, as one does:

Top: LOFT, similar   Pants: Old Navy, similar   Boots: Naughty Monkey, similar

Also, yes my boots are suede.  And no, they were not even remotely appropriate for walking in the snow.  But, in my defense I didn�t really believe it would snow, because it doesn�t usually, so I just wore whatever I wanted.

So, you know, sparkles and leopard and inappropriate shoes:

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Hearts and Raw Edges

This sweater used to have sleeves, but it looked ridiculous with sleeves so I hacked them off:

So now, instead of sleeves, I have raw edges:

And hearts.  Isn't it adorable, all covered in hearts?

Really, now that I got rid of those pesky sleeves, I love this sweater.  And I love it with my polka dot jeans, white button down and riding boots:

And, of course, with my heart necklace:

I figure if anything goes with hearts, it's more hearts.  Right?  That's a thing, pairing hearts with hearts?  Sure it is...

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Candy-Colored

It has been ridiculously cold here in Oregon this week.  I'm talking highs less than 35 degrees cold.  So I've been reaching for the warmest items in my closet.  Items like this candy-colored wool sweater:

You can tell I'm freezing when I clench my fists.  Well, I'm either freezing or prepared to defend myself against vicious squirrel attacks.  One or the other.


I paired the sweater with my flame-colored cords:

Gap sweater (similar), Target cords (similar on super sale!) & Born Crown boots (similar; also on sale!)

Not because there is any flame in the sweater (there really isn't) but because I find cords warmer than jeans.  And because I like yelling, "They don't have to match, dammit, they go!" at co-workers who still haven't quite grasped the concept.  And because, as I've said before, brights in the winter make me happy.

But mostly for the co-worker yelling.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

P.S. If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, today is the last day to enter.  And you can do so here.

Monster Boobs

I�m afraid that this top:

Makes my chestal region look like the chestal region of Roz, from Monsters, Inc.: 

Image via disney.wikia.com

 I know I should steer clear of clothing that makes any part of my anatomy look as though they belong to a saggy-chested monster, but I just can�t quit this sweater.  It�s warm, I think the draped aspect is cool (in spite of what it does to the girls) and I like the color.

I also like how it looks in today�s outfit:

I think the moss green of the top works well with the neutral layers and with the shiny layers of the necklaces.  

 

I guess what I�m saying is, monster boobs be damned, folks, I like this sweater, and I�m going to keep wearing it.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

Chevron Necklace

Lonna & Lilly Tassel Pendant

Marc by Marc Jacobs watch

Similar draped sweater

Vince Camuto Midi Tube Skirt

Spanx Tight End Tights

Born Crown Boots

 

The Pet Leopard Lady Tie

As most of you know, I love me a good lady tie.  I find them amusing and cheeky and fun to wear.  And my latest lady tie find is no exception:

Is that not the most fabulous lady tie ever?  The print is pet leopards on chains with what I�m assuming are diamond collars.  

Yes.

I thrifted the tie this summer and have been waiting for it to get cold enough that extra fabric around my neck would be welcome and not make me a hot, sweaty mess.  And today, My Friends, is the day:

For the lady tie�s inaugural outing, I paired it with a mustard sweater (thrifted, similar), black skinny jeans (a.n.a via JC Penney) and riding boots (Born Crown �Sosie,� similar).

But, really, a pet leopard lady tie goes with everything.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

P.S. Don�t forget to enter my giveaway, here!

Kiss, Kiss

After Friday's all black challenge, I felt a return to color was in order:

I'm not saying this is better than head-to-toe black, but it's definitely more me.  I'm, somehow, more comfortable in an indigo dress and bright red, kiss print scarf than I am in black on black on black.

That's probably due to the kiss print scarf.  Kiss print scarves make everything better:

Tasha "Hot Kiss" Scarf via Nordstrom

Or, at the very least, they make me smile.

And it's not as if I'm banishing black from my wardrobe all together.  No, I just prefer it in smaller doses, like tights and a belt with an otherwise colorful look:

Dress: thrifted  Belt: Nine West, similar  Scarf: Tasha via Nordstrom  Booties: Nine West, similar

What about you, Reader Friends?  Are you more comfortable in color or in neutrals?

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Black on Black on Black

The lovely Fashionista Next Door has challenged us to wear all black as part of Style Me Friday.  And y'all?  This was crazy hard for me.

That's right, I had trouble putting together leggings and a tunic.

The thing is, I don't wear black from head-to-toe.  I pretty much have to have a pop of color; scarf, earrings, something.  Or something shiny.  I had to force myself to back away from my Foxxy Anubis brooch this morning.

However, I (sometimes) like a good challenge so I bit the bullet and resisted the urge to add color or shine, depending instead on different textures to (hopefully) add interest to my monochromatic look.

I, apparently, also wanted to show how it was possible to wear head-to-toe black and not look sleek and cool.

But, enough about my enduring fluffiness.  Let's get back to the texture:

Yes, my sweater is texturally interesting.  And yes, I do have to make that face when providing a close-up of this tunic. Rules is rules, folks.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

How It Works

My sister looked at today�s outfit and said �I don�t get it�:

I said, �What is there to get?  They�re both plaid.�

She responded with, �I don�t think that�s how it works.�

I responded by laughing really loudly and saying �That�s exactly how it works.�

The thing is, I honestly do think this outfit makes perfect sense.  I�ve had the skirt for a while but the sweater vest is a recent thrifted acquisition.  But, when I tried the vest on, my immediate* thought was that I would wear it with this skirt.  

For me, a plaid with a plaid is nothing but good, especially when the other rules of pattern mixing are followed; these pieces have a similar scale and they share a predominant color.

Vest: thrifted vintage   Skirt: thrifted vintage  Tights: Spanx  Belt: Gap, similar  Shoes: Naya "Jada", similar

Okay, so I guess both pieces being plaid isn�t what makes these pieces work together, but I still maintain that they do work.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

*Okay, that�s not entirely true.  My actual immediate thought when trying this vest on was �holy side-boob!� as it�s open basically to the waist.  But, my second thought was to pair it with this skirt.  I swear.

Dress Like A Wasp's Nest

I feel like a cocoon today.  Or a wasp's nest, what with all my gray, lumpy layers:

Which isn't to say I don't like this outfit.  I actually really do.  It's cozy as hell and it's as comfortable as pajamas. And it's successful deployment of a maxi dress in cooler weather, which is something I've struggled with in the past.

What it's not, is figure-flattering.  I know as a blogger I'm supposed to be demonstrating how to dress in the most flattering way (Right?  Isn't that what I'm supposed to be doing here?), but I just can't do it.  You want to wear something that swallows your shape?  Go for it.  Dress like a wasp's nest, if you want.  I totally support that.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Cranberry

I guess this cardigan could be called "red" but red is boring and I grew up looking at J.Crew catalogs, so I'm calling it cranberry:

Dress: c/o eShakti  Cardigan: thrifted   Tights: Spanx   Boots: Nine West "Darsy"

I know it doesn't seem like enough for cold November weather, but it's a lovely wool/silk mix and is warm as heck.  I thrifted it a couple of years ago and don't wear it nearly enough, I think because the proportions are a bit difficult to work with.

Then I remembered that I have trouble with proportions anyway so I just slapped it on over my eShakti sheath dress and some tights:

In case you were curious, the dress is oatmeal with an ink trim and the tights and boots are ebony.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

80s + Plaid = Love

This sweater is one of those fabled plaid pieces I thrifted this summer in anticipation of cooler weather:

Sweater: vintage, similar   Scarf: DIY   Jeans: Banana Republic   Boots: Nine West "Darsy"

 Well, cooler weather has arrived, and I finally (finally!) got to wear my beloved plaid cardigan.  And it was a delight.

Except that the super-low-v neckline gave me a bit of trouble.  It's not as though the girls popped out and waved at folks, but I could feel them thinking about it.  I tried to mitigate their overwhelming friendliness with a scarf, and I think that worked, but I was awfully warm all day.

I tell you, Friends, it's a rough day when a gal has to choose between sweating and flashing people.

Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey

Sweater Weather

After a few weeks of unseasonably warm weather, sweater weather has finally arrived in Oregon.  So, I dressed accordingly:

Actually, I overdressed, as I do.  This sweater (thrifted) is alpaca and it's ridiculously warm.  Almost too warm actually.  But, I've been waiting for months to wear it and the weather finally dropped below sixty so I decided now was the time.

Also, it's the perfect excuse to wear orange and burgundy together:

Cashmere scarf: Nordstrom, similar  Skirt: thrifted, similar  Tights: Target  Boots: Born "Mabel"

Not that I need an excuse.  But, I do think it makes my friends and family feel better when I can point out that there is both orange and burgundy in the sweater so therefore the scarf and the tights totally make sense. Sometimes people need things to make sense.

Personally, I just like to wear orange.

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Houndstooth and Harlequin

Today I've paired houndstooth with harlequin:

And, frankly, I'm surprised it took me this long to put these two together.

The houndstooth blouse (thrifted Jones New York, similar) is a natural fit with the harlequin sweater vest (thrifted vintage JG Hook, similar).  Thank goodness I found these two hanging out together in my closet or this may never have happened:

Can you imagine??!!

Really though, though, those two did the hard work. I just added a midi skirt (thrifted vintage, similar), tights (Spanx Tight End Tights) and ankle boots (Nine West "Darsy").  Oh, and my new favorite tiger diadem necklace (Hive and Honey via Piperlime):

It's not my fault it goes with everything.

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

Eye of the Tiger, Foot of the Leopard

Is there a rule about mixing your big cats?  I mean, if I'm wearing a tiger tee can I pair it with a leopard shoe? Or is this look a fashion faux pas?

 

Hah!  I'm just kidding; this outfit is clearly a great idea.  I say the more big cats the better!  I figure if I'm going to be a cat lady, I may as well be a big cat lady.

Really though, I love this combination of the tiger tee (Bobeau via Nordstrom) with the tweedy blazer (thrifted vintage, similar) and the ankle zip skinnies (Banana Republic).  And I think the leopard flats (Nine West, similar) and tiered chevron necklace (Hive & Honey via Piperlime) are the perfect finishing touches.

I mean, could I have used a bracelet?  Sure, but I'm still pretty darned happy with it as is:

 Also, lest you think when I say "eye of the tiger" I am referring to Katy Perry, let me disabuse you of that notion right here and now.  Below is what I'm referring to when I say "eye of the tiger," you young whippersnappers:

Yes, that song is amazing, thank you for noticing.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey